Banged-up Scutaro to sit out remainder of season

By Alex Espinoza / Special MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Hours before the Giants opened up their final 2013 homestand with a Tuesday nightcap against the Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy announced that Marco Scutaro will miss the rest of the season as he recovers from finger and back issues.

"I don't think you'll see Marco out there again," Bochy said. "We're probably going to hold him out the rest of the year and start getting him ready for Spring Training."

Bochy said Scutaro had his left hand looked at by a specialist Tuesday and will have a splint placed on his pinkie finger soon. Scutaro initially injured his fingers after being hit by a pitch on June 11 and has been dealing with the pain since, while he's also been battling intermittent back issues.

The veteran infielder turns 38 on Oct. 30, and hasn't played since Sept. 15. Scutaro will finish the 2013 season with a .297/.357/.369 slash line, two home runs, 31 RBIs and 57 runs scored in 127 games played.

The Giants signed Scutaro to a three-year deal this past offseason which keeps him under contract through 2015. Bochy said he's optimistic Scutaro will be able to return to the form which made him a crucial contributor to the team's 2012 World Series run.

"I'm confident," Bochy said. "There's some adjustments to make and he knows it, the things he needs to do. But the fact that he played as much as he did in the pain that he was in sometimes, it says who he is. I really expect to see Marco back in the condition that he's normally in -- that's in great shape and ready to go."

Zito to make start in place of Bumgarner

SAN FRANCISCO -- Many have pegged the homestretch of the 2013 season to be Barry Zito's last hurrah as a member of the Giants. After Tuesday's game, manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Zito will start Wednesday's game in place of Madison Bumgarner against the Dodgers.

"I wanted to give him one more start this homestand," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said after Tuesday's 2-1 loss. "Looking at it, we decided tomorrow would be the best time to give him this start. It gives Madison a break and he's done a lot."

Bumgarner is 13-9 with a 2.77 ERA and 199 strikeouts over 201 1/3 innings this season. He logged 208 1/3 innings in the regular season last year, then pitched an additional 15 innings in the postseason. In 2011, Bumgarner worked 204 1/3 innings.

"We talked about it quite a while and talked about it with Madison," Bochy said. "We just feel that this time it's been enough. He's done great this year and it gives us a chance to give him a break. If we were in a different situation, he'd be out there."

Zito's six-year run has been closely scrutinized since he signed a seven-year, $126 million deal as a free agent before the 2007 season. Since joining the Giants, Zito has posted a 62-80 record and a 4.63 ERA, failing to consistently maintain the form that made him one of baseball's best young southpaws to start his career in Oakland.

With a $7 million buyout or an $18 million club option for 2014, Zito is not expected back in San Francisco next season.

Bochy also addressed the status of Tuesday starter Matt Cain, who could be in line to start the season finale against San Diego on Sunday.

"We haven't made that determination yet," Bochy said. "If he's healthy, he could have that start."

Wilson returns for first time since joining Dodgers

SAN FRANCISCO -- For the first time since he traded his Giants uniform for Dodger blue, Brian Wilson arrived at AT&T Park on Tuesday for the latest reprisal of the storied rivalry between the two clubs. Only this time, the colorful relief pitcher and his beard will be sitting in the visitor's dugout down the first-base line.

Though it will be the first time for the home San Francisco fans to see Wilson with the Dodgers, manager Bruce Bochy said it won't be a shock to see him on the other side.

"That's kind of over, been done with," Bochy said. "Not something I think about and say, 'That's odd.' I mean, there's changes in baseball with everybody. The first time you see him, sure, it seems a little different, maybe a little odd. At this point he's with the Dodgers and it doesn't seem strange at all now."

Wilson became a fan favorite with the Giants during his seven-year stint in San Francisco. He pitched against his former teammates in Los Angeles two weeks ago, making two appearances that included a shutout 10th-inning performance that earned him a win.

In 15 games since returning from Tommy John surgery this year he's posted a 0.79 ERA. Above all, Bochy said he's enjoyed seeing Wilson return to baseball.

"I think we're happy for Brian," Bochy said. "He's back pitching and it's a long road and it's a road that hasn't been traveled very much, [with a] second Tommy John [surgery]. We are -- and I'm speaking for a lot of guys -- happy that he's back competing and doing what he loves to do."

Worth noting

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that utility infielder Joaquin Arias was in Miami on Tuesday and tending to a personal matter. Arias has been battling a hamstring injury since Friday and wouldn't have been able to play on Tuesday anyways.

"He'll join us [Wednesday]. But he's not available to play yet, he needs a few days."

Alex Espinoza is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.